Chief Justice warns new lawyers of tougher discipline rules

Lawyers who flout their professional obligations will soon face stiffer penalties, with Chief Justice Leslie Haynes revealing on Friday that a draft to update the law on disciplinary measures within the legal profession is now under review.

In a special sitting for 34 new attorneys-at-law held in the No. 1 Supreme Court, Chief Justice Haynes also drew their attention to the recent disbarment of an experienced lawyer for breaking the law and warned them that the same fate could befall them if they strayed from their professional duties.

He said: “The Legal Professions Act is being revisited. There is presently another one in draft. Changes are going to be made to the way discipline is maintained among members of the bar. There are today too many complaints of unpaid funds to clients from insurance companies in instances where payments have been issued to attorneys.

“There are too many instances where counsel come to court either not ready to proceed or convinced that an adjournment should be granted. There are too many instances of lawyers keeping other lawyers waiting, whether it be at an appointment or an arranged meeting, in the court, wherever it may be. I find that that is one of the greater insults that you can commit.”

The chief justice urged the attorneys to remember that time is money and must not be wasted. He also called on them to see themselves as professionals providing a service to the public.

“As with all services to the public, there must be choices; and you must, through your work, distinguish yourself as a good and proper option for engagement,” he advised.

He then turned his attention to reputation, telling the lawyers it is built on integrity, hard work and diligence.

Haynes reminded the legal practitioners that clients depend on them, and suggested that they return telephone calls, emails and text messages as promptly as possible.

He argued that treating fellow attorneys with civility is paramount, adding that “it is often said that all an attorney has is his or her reputation”.

“A good reputation takes years to build,” he said. “That same reputation can be lost in an instant; and having been lost, it is difficult, if not impossible, to rebuild. Building and maintaining a reputation is therefore paramount. With the advent of social media and cameras which can appear from anywhere, it is more important today than at any other time that you carry and conduct yourselves in a manner befitting the legal profession.”

He continued: “You must never forget that your clients’ resources are not yours. Your clients’ achievements are not yours, neither is your clients’ account — which you are mandated to maintain under the legal profession — your personal account. You may recall that as recently as four months ago, the Court of Appeal accepted the recommendations of the Disciplinary Committee and ordered the Registrar of the Supreme Court to strike the name of an attorney-at-law from the rolls.” (EJ)